When Crisis Comes to Church: Restorative Care and Discipline

Shepherding and Crisis Care

A crisis in the church raises emotions, distorts information, and tests a pastor's convictions. This course teaches a careful response: triage the situation, distinguish consequences of sin from trials of suffering, and practice church discipline as Matthew 18 presents it, where every step aims at restoring the person. Built for pastors and elders.

1 hour

11 units

3 sections

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What You'll Work Through

Each unit is a conversation, not a page to read. The tutor asks you to explain, apply, and work with the material until it holds.

Chapter 1: Understanding Crisis Biblically

Section 1.1: Grounding in Matthew 18 and Defining Crisis

Matthew 18:15-17 anchors discipline in gaining your brother
Defining crisis as more than a person feels they can handle
The consequence-versus-trial distinction shapes the door of entry

Section 1.2: The Marks of Crisis and Discernment

The three marks of crisis: urgency, complexity, reality
Consequence versus trial: which door in, conviction or comfort

Chapter 2: Three Steps to Crisis Intervention

Section 2.1: Assess Risk and Respond Biblically

The full S.O.S. in crisis: assess Severity, Ownership, and Support
The consequence-versus-trial distinction determines the door in
Responding biblically: help them go vertical and discern godly versus worldly sorrow

Section 2.2: Engaging Community with a Care Plan

Step Three of crisis intervention: engage community intentionally and develop a clear care plan

Chapter 3: Restorative Church Discipline

Section 3.1: Types of Discipline and Restorative Guardrails

The three types of discipline: preventative, formative, formal
The guide's guardrails for restorative discipline